BJP picks Yuva Morcha vice president for public debate against Rahul Gandhi

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha President Tejasvi Surya on Monday (May 13) accepted an invitation for a public debate with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and nominated BJYM's Vice President Abhinav Prakash.

Notably, the invitation for a public debate was extended by former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur, former High Court Chief Justice AP Shah, and senior journalist N Ram to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Surya proposed Prakash's name stating that he was a young and educated leader from the Pasi scheduled caste community, who make up about 30 per cent of the population in Rae Baraeli, where Gandhi is contesting the elections.

Elaborating on Prakash's credentials, he wrote in a letter, "He is not only a distinguished leader within our youth wing but also an articulate spokesperson for the policies and reforms implemented by our government. An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University and an assistant professor of economics at Delhi University's Ramjas College, with previous teaching stints at SRCC, his profound understanding of social, economic, and political dynamics is poised to enrich the debate significantly."

Dear Rahul Gandhi Ji,

BJYM has deputed Sri @Abhina_Prakash, our VP, to debate with you.

He is a young and educated leader from the Pasi (SC) community, who are around 30%, in Rae Baraeli.

It will be an enriching debate between a political scion and a common youngster who… pic.twitter.com/8FarSmqrQe — Tejasvi Surya (ಮೋದಿಯ ಪರಿವಾರ) (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 13, 2024

'Look forward to debate with Gandhi,' says Prakash

The BJYM president said that he was looking forward to debating with Gandhi and further taking a swipe at the Congress stating that he hoped he did not run away from the debate, the same way he did from Amethi.

"I would like to thank Tejasvi Surya for deputing me to debate with Rahul Gandhi. I am looking forward to this debate. I am from Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi and his family have represented the state for so long. I hope he doesn't run away from the debate the way he ran away from Amethi otherwise who knows he will have to run away from Raebareli as well, in the next elections," he told news agency ANI.

Gandhi on Friday (May 10) accepted the invitation stating that such a debate "will help people understand our respective vision and enable them to make an informed choice."

स्वस्थ लोकतंत्र के लिए प्रमुख दलों का एक मंच से अपना विज़न देश के समक्ष रखना एक सकारात्मक पहल होगी।

कांग्रेस इस पहल का स्वागत करती है और चर्चा का निमंत्रण स्वीकार करती है।

देश प्रधानमंत्री जी से भी इस संवाद में हिस्सा लेने की अपेक्षा करता है। pic.twitter.com/YMWWqzBRhE — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 11, 2024

"It is also critical to put to rest any unsubstantiated allegations attributed to our respective parties. As the principal parties fighting the election, the public deserve to hear from their leaders directly," Gandhi said. "Accordingly, either myself or the Congress president would be pleased to participate in such a debate."

"Congress welcomes this initiative and accepts the invitation for discussion. The country also expects the prime minister to take part in this dialogue," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)